Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device having a unique asymmetrical shape with rounded ends of differing radii to provide stability and added resistance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International ApplicationPCT/US2020/021521, filed Mar. 6, 2020, entitled Exercise Device, andincorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to South Africanprovisional application number 2020/00975, filed Feb. 17, 2020, entitledExercise Device, and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to exercise devices. In particular,exercise devices that may be used in a plurality of positions tocondition various parts of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed exercise device supports and orientates the body indiverse ways to enable effective exercising. In addition, the exercisedevice provides resistance and a method to vary the resistance toexercise different muscles of different strengths, to vary theresistance whilst exercising specific groups of muscles, to match thelevel of resistance to the change in muscle strength as the muscle tireswhile exercising, and to increase resistance as the strength of a muscleincreases over time.

Existing exercise devices often position a user very close to the groundor on the ground, making it uncomfortable for the user to exercise andmaking it difficult for an unconditioned person to use the exercisedevice or aid.

Traditional exercise devices may also pose a risk to the user byallowing the exercise device to tip too far backwards during use.

Conventional exercise devices often provide insufficient resistance andno ability to vary the resistance as a user improves their strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed exercise device may allow an exerciser to positionthemselves more comfortably and safer than on existing exercising aids.The unique asymmetrical shape may enhance exercise results by improvingsafety. The shape may provide a more stable structure that inhibits oreliminates tipping past a point in which a user is in control of thedevice position. Furthermore, resulting from the asymmetrical shape ofthe device, an increase in exercise resistance can be achieved comparedto other soft material exercise devices.

The invention provides an exercise device comprising an inflatable, orsemi-solid, or solid body with a structure having a surface withmultiple curved portions that allow the device to move in a controlledmanner when a user in engaged with the device, and provide variousamounts of resistance a user may apply to obtain the level of workoutintensity desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of examples with reference tothe following accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of an exercise device in twoorientations, with a concave side at the top and with a convex side atthe top, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the exercise device as per FIG. 2 withan exerciser exercising in two positions.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exercise device of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise device of FIG. 4 with an exerciserexercising face down.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exercise device of FIG. 4 with an exerciserexercising face up.

FIG. 7 depicts illustrative dimensions of an exercise device.

FIG. 8 depicts an exercise device with illustrative handles positionedcentrally below a concave area on a side of the exercise device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of an exercise device in twoorientations. FIG. 1A shows exercise device 1 resting on the convexsurface of its first side 8. FIG. 1B shows exercise device 1 resting onits opposing, second side 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2,exercise device 1 includes a first side 8 with a surface, at least partof, which is curved outwardly in a generally convex form, and anopposing second side 10 with modified s-shaped surface. The s-shapedsurface includes a first area defining a concave seat-accommodatingrecess 16 to accommodate a user's buttocks, and a second area defining aconvex back-supporting portion 18 to accommodate a user's back

FIG. 2 shows the surfaces of first side 8 and second side 10 areconnected via a first rounded end 12 with a relatively large radius anda second rounded end 14 with a relatively small radius, wherein firstand second rounded ends 12, 14 are disposed at opposite ends of firstside 8 and second side 10, thereby defining an asymmetrically shapedstructure. The asymmetrical shape has a first rounded end 12significantly bigger than second rounded end 14, which may result,depending on the material of the device, in the fill inside the body ofthe exercise device being unevenly distributed, with first rounded end12 housing the bulk of the volume of the fill and second rounded end 14of the exercise device, housing a lesser volume of the fill.

In one illustrative embodiment, exercise device 1 may comprise aninflatable body with air as the fill inside the body. The volume of airmay be unevenly distributed, with first rounded end 12 containing avolume of air that is significantly more than what is contained insecond rounded end 14.

First side 8 of exercise device 1 may be curved outwardly in a firstdirection extending between first rounded end 12 and second rounded end14.

To exercise, an exerciser may use exercise device 1 in at least twoways: First, by positioning exercise device 1 with its first side 8 onthe floor as shown in FIG. 1A, the exerciser may sit in concave area 16with feet on the ground and the exerciser's back supported, at leastpartially, by the adjacent, outwardly curved convex support 18 on secondside 10. Moving or readjusting one or more parts of the body on thesurface of second side 10 or pushing or pulling with the feet againstthe ground may cause a change in the exerciser's weight distribution orcenter of gravity and thereby cause a rotating or tipping movement ofexercise device 1 with a different portion of the convex ground-engagingsurface of the first side contacting the ground.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of exercise device 1 as per FIG. 2 withan exerciser exercising in two positions a and b. By sitting in concavearea 16 of second side 10 adjacent to second rounded end 14, and withthe back against convex support 18 adjacent to first rounded end 12, anexerciser, when pushing with the feet against the ground, generates aforce that is applied against convex support 18 adjacent to firstrounded end 12. Resulting from the asymmetrical shape of exercise device1, when applying force with the back against convex support 18 adjacentto the relatively big first rounded end 12, while sitting in concavearea 16 adjacent to the relatively small second rounded end 14, exercisedevice 1 generates a counter force for exercising that becomesprogressively higher the further second rounded end 14 is rotated andtipped backwards towards the floor.

Also, when exercising sitting in concave area 16 adjacent to therelatively smaller second rounded end 14 with the back pressed againstconvex support 18 adjacent to the relatively large first rounded end 12,the asymmetrical shape in general and in particular the relativelylarger first rounded end 12 of exercise device 1 prevents or inhibits itfrom being tipped too far backwards by providing a counterforce thatresists the force applied by the exerciser, which may reduce the risk ofpotential injury to the exerciser.

By moving the body's center of gravity and/or by pulling with the feetagainst the ground, generates a force that is applied against the secondrounded end 14. Resulting from the asymmetrical shape of exercise device1, when applying force while sitting in concave area 16 adjacent to therelatively small second rounded end 14, exercise device 1 generates aforce for exercising that becomes progressively lighter the further thesecond rounded end 14 is rotated and tipped forwards towards the floor.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the exerciser may further use exercise device 1by positioning it with its second side 10 on the ground. In thisorientation, the outwardly curved first side 8 is facing upwards, withfirst rounded end 12 higher above the ground than second rounded end 14that is positioned nearer the ground. An exerciser may perform exercisemovements by positioning the body onto the surface of the first side 8facing downwards, as shown in FIG. 5, or as shown in FIG. 6, upwards,with the head towards first rounded end 12, or second rounded end 14, orfacing sideways, and with the body bent forwards or backwards.

The structure of the exercise device may include optional handles 6,which can be gripped by an exerciser during use of exercise device 1. Inthe illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, handles 6 are locatedtoward second rounded end 14. In a further embodiment, handles 6 aremore centrally located, such as beneath concave area 16, as viewed inFIG. 1A, preferably positioned so users of various sizes may easilyreach them. Handles 6 may be ergonomically shaped to assist a user invarious exercises using exercise device 1, which may take into accountthe different positions exercise device 1 may have with respect to auser, such as those shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5 and 6.

The exercise device may include an air valve 4 to enable pumping orblowing air into inflatable body 2. Valve 4 may be recessed to reduceunwanted contact by an exerciser with the valve.

Further details of the structure and use of exercise device 1 will nowbe provided.

Turning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, embodiments of exercise device 1 are shownthat are made from flexible material, such as plastic sheet material, toform an inflatable body 2 with a structure that is asymmetrical in shapeto aid in performing exercises. In a further embodiment, exercise device1 may be made from a solid piece of foam, or other materials thatprovides the support needed to utilize the device in the manner that isdescribed herein. Although exercise device 1 may be constructed ofvarious materials, for simplicity the exercise device will be describedherein at times as it relates to an inflatable construction. Inflatablebody 2 is inflated via an air valve 4, typically using a foot pump (notshown) or electric pump (not shown). To facilitate exercise, a pair ofhandles 6 is attached to inflatable body 2. In one orientation (seen inFIG. 1A), exercise device 1 can be positioned with first side 8 facingdown and second side 10 facing up. In another orientation (seen in FIG.1B), exercise device 1 is positioned with first side 8 facing up andsecond side 10 facing down.

FIG. 2 is a side view of exercise device 1 with first side 8 facing downand second side 10 facing up. Inflatable body 2 has a first, outwardlycurved, convex, shaped side 8 connected and linked to a second side 10via first rounded end 12, on one side of inflatable body 2, and secondrounded end 14, disposed on the other end of inflatable body 2, withfirst rounded end 12 having a radius that is significantly larger thanthe radius of second rounded end 14. Second side 10 is shaped with aconcave area 16 that is recessed to form a seat for an exerciser andpositioned adjacent to second rounded end 14. Convex support 18 ispositioned between concave area 16 and first rounded end 12, or as apart of first rounded end 12, which is curved outwardly, and which formsa convex back support 18 for the back of an exerciser.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of exercise device 1 of FIG. 2 and showfirst side 8 facing down. An exerciser is shown performing exercisemovements in two positions: a and b. In position a, the exerciser issitting on concave area 16, leaning forward, with the back againstconvex support 18. In this position, first rounded end 12 is relativelyhigh above the ground compared to second rounded end 14, which isrelatively close to the ground.

In position b, the exerciser is pushing against convex support 18,causing inflatable body 2 to roll and rotate counterclockwise along theoutwardly curved first side 8, causing first rounded end 12 to movecloser to the ground and second rounded end 14 to move further away fromthe ground. Resulting from the asymmetrical shape of inflatable body 2,as the exerciser continues to push against convex support 18 and theinflatable body rolls and rotates counterclockwise, the resistance ofpushing against convex support 18 progressively increases, making theexercise more difficult to perform. Also, resulting from first roundedend 12 forming part of convex support 18 and by sitting on secondrounded end 14 on the opposite side of inflatable body 2, when rotatingthe asymmetrical structure counterclockwise, inflatable body 2 isrestrained from rolling and rotating too far backwards, hinderingtipping too far backwards, which could potentially cause injury to theexerciser.

Turning back to FIG. 3A, in position a, once the center of gravity ofthe exerciser's body is moved forward towards the right and/or bypulling with the feet against the ground, a force is generated that isapplied in the direction of second rounded end 14. Resulting from theasymmetrical shape of exercise device 1, when applying force whilesitting in concave area 16 adjacent to the relatively small secondrounded end 14, exercise device 1 generates a force for exercising thatbecomes progressively lighter the further second rounded end 14 isrotated and tipped forwards towards the floor.

FIG. 4 is a side view of exercise device of FIG. 1 with first side 8facing up. First rounded end 12 and second rounded end 14 are in contactwith the floor, which stabilizes inflatable body 2 when used in thisorientation to exercise. Also, as a result of the relatively large sizeof first rounded end 12 relative to the small size of second rounded end14, the exercise surface of first side 8 becomes “angled” with firstrounded end 12 further away from the ground than second rounded end 14.This asymmetrical nature of the exercise surface aids in the variety ofexercises and the effectiveness of exercises that can be performed.

FIG. 5 is a side view of exercise device 1 in the position describedwith respect to FIG. 4 above, showing an exerciser exercising face down.Resulting from the large size of first rounded end 12 relative to thesmaller size of second rounded end 14, the exercise surface of firstside 8 becomes “angled” with first rounded end 12 farther away from theground than second rounded end 14, thereby allowing the upper body ofthe exerciser to be farther away from the ground than the lower bodywhile exercising.

FIG. 6 shows the same view of exercise device 1 as is shown in FIG. 5above, but with an exerciser exercising face up. Again, resulting fromthe large size of first rounded end 12 relative to the smaller size ofsecond rounded end 14, the exercise surface of first side 8 supports theexerciser's upper body further from the ground than the lower body whileexercising, a position that may favor the performance of certainexercises.

FIG. 7 depicts illustrative dimensions of exercise device 1. The radius20 of first round end 12 is larger than the radius 22 of second roundend 14. In an illustrative example, radius 20 of first round end 12 isin the range of 200-240 mm, with a further illustrative range of 210-230mm. In an illustrative example, radius 22 of second round end 14 is inthe range of 100-120 mm, with a further illustrative range of 105-115mm. The relationship between the radius 20 of first rounded end 12 andradius 22 of second rounded end 14, may be described for example, asradius 20 of first rounded end 12 being in the range of 1.9-2.2 timeslarger than radius 22 of second rounded end 14, or further radius 20 maybe 1.8-2.1 times larger than radius 22.

The radius 26 of concave area 16 may be in the range of 185-205 mm. Afurther illustrative range of radius 26 is 190-200 mm. In illustrativeembodiments the relationship between the radius 22 of second rounded end14 and radius 26 of concave area 16 of second side 10, may be describedfor example, as radius 26 of concave area 16 of second side 10 being inthe range of 1.6-1.9 times larger than radius 22 of second rounded end14, or further radius 26 may be 1.7-1.8 times larger than radius 22. Therelative radius 26 may advantageously provide improved back support forcommon exercises such as crunches.

The relative radii of radius 20 of first rounded end 12 to radius 26 ofconcave area 16 of second side 10, may also promote device stability,comfort and user support. In an illustrative embodiment radius 20 offirst rounded end 12 is 11% to 14% larger than radius 26 of concave area16.

As noted above, the asymmetrical shape of exercise device 1 may providestability and facilitate different exercises. The difference in heightof first rounded end 12 and second rounded end 14 from the ground mayprovide these advantages. In an illustrative embodiment, height 30 asmeasured from the top of first rounded end 12 to the ground is in therange of about 620-660 mm. A further illustrative range of height 30 is610-650 mm.

In an illustrative embodiment, height 32 as measured from the top ofsecond rounded end 14 to the ground is in the range of about 340-380 mm.A further illustrative range of height 32 is 350-370 mm. In anillustrative embodiment height 30 is 70%-80% greater than height 32.

Illustrative ranges of the radius 24 of first side 8 include, 500-540 mmand 510-530 mm. The radius 26 relative to radius 24 may advantageouslyprovide improved rotation of first side 8 when an exerciser performsexercises whilst positioned on second side 10 of exercise device 1.

Illustrative positions of the center points of arcs that define firstround end and second round end are as follows. Center point 38 of firstrounded end may be positioned in the range of 400-440 mm from the bottomof exercise device 1. Center point 40 of second rounded end 14 may bepositioned in the range of 230-270 mm from the bottom of exercise device1.

An illustrative position of center point 42 of arc of first side 8 is inthe range of 500-540 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.

An illustrative position of center point 44 of concave area 16 is in therange of 475-515 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.

An illustrative position of handle 6 is schematically shown in FIG. 7.Although shown as a circle, handle 6 may have other shapes so the centerpoint 46 of handle 6 does not necessarily reflect the center of acircle. The center point 50 of handle 6 may be positioned for example,in the range of 210-240 mm above the bottom of exercise device 1, asidentified by dimension 46, and in the range of 305-325 from the frontend of exercise device 1, as identified by dimension 48. It is notedthat handle 6 may be positioned elsewhere on exercise device, forexample as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B.

FIG. 8 depicts an exercise device 1 with illustrative handles 6positioned centrally below concave area 16 of second side 10. In theparticular embodiment shown, handles 6 are ergonomically configured, butcould also have other configurations. There also may be more than onehandle positioned on a side of exercise device 1 to aide in performingdifference exercises.

Turning back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, longitudinal lines 34 a-c may be seenon the surface of exercise device 1. These lines result frompartitioning panels within inflatable body 2. The partitioning panelshave openings through which air may flow to facilitate inflating thedevice. The holes though may be small enough so a rupture in onecompartment will not create a sudden deflation of the entire device. Thepanels also provide structural integrity to exercise device 1. Theinvention is not limited to three longitudinal lines 34 a-c forming foursections. In a further illustrative embodiment there may be one to fivesections. The sections between longitudinal lines 34 a-c may be of evenwidth or may vary. In an illustrative embodiment there are threesections with the central section wider than either of the other twosections, and the other two sections being of even width with oneanother. The distribution and size of panels can create differentfirmness, which can facilitate use during certain exercises.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,033,307B2 and 7,134,988B2 describe exercising aids thathave shortcomings that may be overcome by embodiments of the exercisedevice disclosed herein. Some of the shortcomings of prior artexercising aids include: difficulty for an unconditioned user to performexercises using the device and to stand up from a seated position on theaid; risk of injury from the exercising aid tipping backward; andresistance being lower than may be needed to achieve the desired workoutlevel.

The invention includes methods of exercising, conditioning and physicaltherapy having the steps of: providing an exercise device according toany of the embodiments described herein and their equivalents, andperforming physical therapy, strengthening, balancing or conditioningexercises using the device to facilitate the exercises, includingvarying resistance while performing the exercises. In a particularembodiment, exercise device 1 is inflated or deflated to a firmnessconducive to a selected exercise.

While the invention has been described by illustrative embodiments,additional advantages and modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limitedto specific details shown and described herein. Modifications, forexample, to specific shapes and sizes and incorporation of equivalentcomponents, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosed exercisedevice not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiments, but beinterpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a first sidehaving a convex surface; a second side opposing the first side, thesecond side having a modified s-shaped surface; the surface of the firstside connected to the surface of the second side by a first rounded endwith a first radius, and via a second rounded end having a secondradius, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius;wherein the modified s-shaped comprises a concave area to form a seatand a convex portion to support a user's back; wherein the first roundedend is defined by a first arc having a center point in the range of400-440 mm from the bottom of the exercise device; wherein the secondrounded end is defined by a second arc having a center point in therange of 230-270 mm from the bottom of the exercise device; and whereinthe first radius is defined by a distance between the first center pointand a point on the first arc, and the second radius is defined by adistance between the second center point and a point of the second arc.2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the relative difference in thefirst radius and the second radius creates a counterforce to forceapplied by the user, thereby inhibiting tipping backward when a user isexercising while seated on the concave area of the second side.
 3. Theexercise device of claim 1 comprising plastic sheet material forming aninflatable body.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the firstradius of the first rounded end is in the range of 200-240 mm and thesecond radius of the second rounded end is in the range of 100-120 mm.5. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the first radius of the firstrounded end is in the range of 1.9-2.2 times larger than the secondradius of the second rounded end.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1wherein the concave area has a radius in the range of 185-205 mm.
 7. Theexercise device of claim 6 wherein the exercise device has a bottom andthe concave area has a center point positioned in the range of 475-515mm from the bottom of the exercise device.
 8. The exercise device ofclaim 1 wherein the concave area of the second side has a radius in therange of 1.6-1.9 times larger than the second radius of the secondrounded end.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first roundedend has a highest point as measured from ground level, and the firstrounded end highest point is in the range of 620-660 mm and the secondrounded end has a highest point as measured from ground level, and thesecond rounded end highest point is in the range of 340-380 mm.
 10. Theexercise device of claim 1 wherein the first rounded end has a highestpoint as measured from ground level and the second rounded end has ahighest point as measured from ground level, and the first rounded endhighest point is 70%-80% greater than the second rounded end highestpoint.
 11. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first side has aradius in the range of 500-540 mm.
 12. The exercise device of claim 1wherein the first radius is 11% to 14% larger than a radius of theconcave area.
 13. The exercise device of claim 1 comprising a solidpiece of foam.
 14. The exercise device of claim 1 further comprisinghandles centrally located beneath the concave area, the handlesconfigured ergonomically to allow gripping from various user positions.15. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first rounded end housesa greater volume of fill than a volume of fill housed in the secondrounded end.
 16. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the exercisedevice has a bottom and the first side has an arced surface with acenter point in the range of 500-540 mm from the bottom of the exercisedevice.
 17. A method of exercising comprising providing an exercisedevice according to claim 1 and performing exercises using the exercisedevice for support and resistance.
 18. The method of claim 17 furthercomprising adjusting the amount of inflation of the exercise deviceaccording to the exercises to be performed.